From Finnish amateur leagues to the heights of the Scottish Premiership
In short: In just a few years, Viljami Sinisalo has navigated a remarkable ascent. After debuting in Finland's third tier at just fifteen, the goalkeeper has moved through the English academy system to become a key figure for Celtic and the Finnish national team.
Born on 11 October 2001, Viljami Sinisalo’s professional trajectory began with an unusually early start. In June 2017, at the age of 15, he made his senior league debut in the Finnish Kakkonen while playing for FC Espoo. This early exposure to senior football preceded his move to the prestigious Aston Villa academy in 2018, where he became a regular in their under-18 and under-23 squads under manager Steve Bruce.
Sinisalo's career has been defined by a series of impactful loan spells in the United Kingdom. Following a stint at Ayr United in 2020, which was interrupted by a groin injury in April 2021, he moved to Burton Albion in July 2022. However, it was his 2023 loan to Exeter City that proved transformative. During that season, he made 50 appearances and recorded 14 clean sheets, earning both the Players' Player of the Season and Supporters' Player of the Season awards.
His performances earned him a move to Celtic in July 2024 on a five-year deal, reportedly worth £1 million. While initially serving as a backup to Kasper Schmeichel, Sinisalo stepped into the spotlight during crucial moments, including a clean sheet against Stuttgart in the UEFA Europa League in March 2026. Following Schmeichel's retirement, Sinisalo was entrusted with the number 1 jersey for the 2026–27 season.
On the international stage, Sinisalo has progressed through Finland's youth ranks, captaining the U21 side in November 2021. He earned his senior international debut in a friendly against Estonia in January 2023 and later made his competitive debut in a Euro 2024 qualifier against San Marino in November 2023.
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